Curlin colt tops strong opening session of Book 3 at Keeneland

The first day of Book 3 selling at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale saw steady trade from start to finish, with the Saturday action headlined by a $900,000 Curlin colt purchased for the BSW/Crow Colts Group in partnership with Spendthrift Farm and Gandharvi.

During the sale's fifth session, 287 of the 371 horses through the ring sold for gross receipts of $50,747,500, at an average price of $176,821 and a median of $140,000. Eighty-four horses failed to sell, representing an RNA rate of 22.6 per cent.

"If you had asked me a week ago if Book 3 would be this strong, I would have said 'No,' but after seeing Book 1 and knowing, seeing the people that were being pushed back into the next day, I think it was always going to end up like that," bloodstock agent Michael Wallace remarked.

During the fifth selling session last year, 297 horses of the 361 on offer were sold for final figures of $46,920,500. An average price of $157,981 and a median of $125,000 was made. Sixty-four horses didn't meet their reserve representing an RNA rate of 17.7 per cent.

Cumulatively over the five days of selling, 996 horses changed hands of the 1,269 on offer for gross receipts of $294,350,000. An average price of $295,557 and a median of $220,000 stands after Saturday's selling. Two hundred and seventy-three horses failed to meet their reserve to represent an RNA rate of 21.5 per cent.

Leading sire Curlin was popular once more at Keeneland on SaturdayCredit: Michele MacDonald

At this point in 2021, 961 horses sold of the 1,249 under the hammer for gross figures of $254,879,500. An average price of $265,223 and a median of $200,000 was made. Two hundred eighty-eight horses failed to meet their reserve to represent an RNA rate of 23 per cent.

Louisiana-based Lynnhaven Racing purchased eight yearlings during session five for gross receipts of $2,870,000 at an average of $358,750 to be the day's leading buyer.

"The market is excellent, but you have to be good," consignor Peter O'Callaghan said. "It's still hard for us breeders and pinhookers to breed or purchase a nice horse. When you do have one, it's gratifying when you get rewarded. Because believe me, we go through enough of the ones that don't qualify, get hurt, or don't vet. When it all falls together, it's extremely gratifying and a lot of relief."

O'Callaghan added: "Everyone is very selective in what they want these days; they really know what they want. Most of these guys are on the same horses, and they can't all buy them. Win one, lose one; buyers want to buy in the top 10% of each session. Those horses are highly sought after and sell very well."

Antony Beck's Gainesway finished Saturday selling 24 head for gross receipts of $6,785,000 to be the session's leading consignor by gross and an average price of $282,708.

Agent Ben McElroy, who purchased the second-highest price of the session, remarked upon the sire power brought to the table by breeders and consignors.

"There is a huge emphasis on sire power, which it has been over the past two years," he said. "If you have the right sire, you are getting double if not triple, which you should."

Curlin Colt Top Choice for Partners

The session-topping Stonestreet Bred & Raised colt was secured from the Elm Tree Farm consignment of Mr and Mrs Jody Huckabay. Brad Weisbord, president and founder of BSW/Crow, said the colt was the partnership's top pick of the day and was worth going over the budget.

Bradley Weisbord (left) and Liz Crow (right) bought the session-topperCredit: Laura Green

"As you guys can see, we try to stay in the $500,000-$600,000 range, but he was the top colt for us today... Liz Crow, Ned Toffey, the team really loved him. It's been very tough to buy this sort of horse. We stretched a little bit," Weisbord said.

"With Mike Repole, Vinny Viola, and the SF group, they've been dominating the marketplace. We tried to buy him a little cheaper, but Liz and Ned said to keep going, so that's what we did."

The colt is the fourth foal out of the Malibu Moon mare Tangere. His second dam Scarlet Tango produced the 2016 Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes winner Tara's Tango, the 2008 Grade 1 NetJets King's Bishop Stakes winner Visionnaire and the Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Scarlet Strike.

"I believe (Stonestreet) is going to stay in for a piece, and we'd love to have them," Weisbord said. "We think they're one of the best breeders in the game. For us all the stars lined up and hopefully we'll see him next year in one of the big races."

The partnership also purchased another Curlin colt (Hip 1523) for $350,000 from Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield consignment.

BSW/Crow joined with First Row Partners to purchase two more yearlings: a $350,000 Ghostzapper filly from Summerfield and a $150,000 Cairo Prince filly from Elm Field.

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